Trump rally draws national spotlight on Madison
view from behind Trump (Contributed)
MADISON- The crowds started gathering hours before the doors open. One of the biggest events in Madison in years unfolded on a sunny Sunday afternoon on Feb. 28.
Donald Trump, suddenly the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for President was coming to Madison.
CNN broadcast live from the stadium starting at 2 pm.
The lots at Bob Jones were full as buses paid for by the Trump campaign shuttled people. Long lines of people snaked through the back parking lot of Madison City Schools Stadium.
Many locals parked downtown and walked the short distance to the stadium.
Cynthia Wright and her husband John came from Huntsville. She had seen Trump in Birmingham in the early stages of his campaign.
“I just want to support Trump and make America great again,” she said.
“The first thing is immigration. Then the economy. The third thing I like is that he is self-funding his campaign. I don’t want someone who is going to go in and take care of lobbyists. I want someone to take care of Americans first. This is a great crowd. No one is pushing, shoving, or using foul language, they are nice respectful people.”
Some supporters drove as far away as Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Memphis, Tenn to Madison to see Trump. A group of teenagers in the south end zone said they were from Arab.
Trump started off saying he had a surprise. That turned out to be the endorsement of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions R-Ala, one of the most respected politicians in the state.
Trump was throw off-stride early in his speech by Black Lives Matter protesters. But he seemed to regain his footing during the 63-minute speech given without notes or teleprompters.
“We are going to have to run against Hillary,” he said. “We are going to beat her, the others (Republicans running) can’t beat her. Fox and USA Today polls show me leading her and I haven’t even started in on her yet.”
He also took a swipe at Republican insiders.
“Karl Rove, he still thinks Romney won the last election.”
He was especially ticked off at Marco Rubio for calling him a con-man.
“I have built towers, buildings, city parks, condos, you name it all over the world. You don’t call someone who has accomplished all that a con-man.”
“I’m not asking for your money, I want you to do one thing. Everybody get out and vote on Tuesday. We are going to win so big, we are leading in every state.”
After complimenting the Alabama football team Trump exited to the song “Sweet Home Alabama”.
